Today, women are more educated, more represented, and more visible than ever before, but in some key areas, progress has stalled, and in others, it’s actually moving backward.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Dr. Tracy Packiam Alloway, author of Think Like a Girl, challenged the myth that women must adopt traditionally masculine traits to be effective leaders. Her research highlights three leadership styles: transformational, transactional, and passive/avoidant. She emphasized that women who embrace transformational leadership, which focuses on developing relationships and supporting others, are less likely to experience stress and burnout compared to those who adopt a passive approach. Dr. Alloway also offered a practical tip for enhancing leadership presence: palm up gestures with your dominant hand can convey positive ideas, making communication more effective. By embracing relationship-driven approaches, women can thrive in their leadership roles and create more inclusive workplaces.

As we close out March, we’re highlighting women who have led the way locally in law, art, law enforcement and fashion.

The Beaches Museum is embracing Women's History Month by highlighting the contributions of two remarkable women who shaped the community's history. Mayor Hoffman welcomed visitors to the museum, where she shared insights about these influential figures and their lasting impact. One of the women featured is a descendant of the family that owned the Oceanic Hotel, where she learned the hospitality trade and met visitors from around the world. She married JT McCormick of McCormick and Sons, a family that played a significant role in developing the Beaches area. In the 1960s and 70s, as the community evolved, she and her friends founded the Beaches Area Historical Society, ensuring the preservation of local history. A notable image of her climbing out of the Sandpiper Pool became iconic when a photographer from the Saturday Evening Post captured it shortly before her wedding to JT McCormick. Concerned about how her future father-in-law would react, she and her friends rushed to buy copies of the magazine to prevent any scandal. The second woman honored is Rhoda L. Martin, who was born into slavery and later moved to Jacksonville Beach in the early 1900s. Recognizing the lack of educational and religious resources for the African American community, she established a school in her kitchen and founded the St. Andrews AME Church. Her efforts laid the groundwork for education and spiritual engagement in the community, which continued until schools were desegregated in the 1960s. Rhoda Martin lived to the age of 116, leaving behind a legacy of service and leadership. In her honor, the Jacksonville Beach Elementary School was renamed the Rhoda Martin Cultural Heritage Center, ensuring her contributions are remembered. Mayor Hoffman reflected on her own journey, noting that she became the first woman mayor of Jacksonville Beach at a time when both the mayors of Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach were also women. "I stand on the shoulders of the women here in Jacksonville Beach who have come before me," she said, acknowledging the trailblazers like Margaret McQueen and Benny Furlong. The Beaches Museum invites everyone to explore its exhibits, open six days a week with free admission. The museum actively engages the community through social media, sharing snippets of local history and celebrating the contributions of women in the Beaches area. "We want to engage our community as well as our visitors in what the Beaches was, is, and will become," Mayor Hoffman concluded, encouraging all to visit and learn more about the rich history of the area.

From cancer research to architecture to engineering, this week we featured women who led their respective fields to recognize Women's History Month.

From cancer research to architecture to engineering, this week we featured women who led their respective fields to recognize Women's History Month.

BABS’LAB, an innovative arts and storytelling hub in Jacksonville’s CoRK Arts District, is celebrating Women’s History Month with a dynamic lineup of events designed to uplift and amplify women’s voices. BABS’LAB fosters creativity, connection, and community through storytelling, improv, and live performances. Join us in celebrating women’s voices and experiences! WHAT: Art Exhibit DATE: Thursday, March 13 TIME: 5:30 - 8 PM ADMISSION: Free. Prints and original art of Sale BABS’LAB and the Society of Whimsical B🐝es presents “From Ukraine to Jax: Fragments of Flight, Art as Refuge, Resilience, and Rebirth, an exhibition featuring Julia Ivanisova, a Ukrainian refugee, videographer, and long-time BABS’LAB community member, showcasing her journey through art. WHAT: March Story Slam Theme: Rebel Bloom DATE: March 21st TIME: 8 PM ADMISSION: $18 DOORS OPEN: 7:15 PM BABS’LAB, CoRK Arts District

For Women's History Month, there is an interesting area in St. Augustine, Florida's Uptown neighborhood called Abbott Tract for our "In Our Backyard Series".

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan will join leaders from JEA for a news conference Wednesday morning to celebrate women in trade.

With Women's History Month quickly approaching in March, what is your advice for a woman in her early 20s?

Women's History Month is more than just a celebration of the contributions women have made over the years, but is an opportunity to highlight the obstacles we still face.

Every March, Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to honor the pioneering women and girls who have paved the way for progress and innovation for generations to come. With that, we’re thrilled to invite you to our Women Making History Brunch and to give young women the opportunity to network with local business leaders!

Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia are full of exceptional women who lead, make change, and work tirelessly to improve our community every day.

The month of March, which celebrates Women’s History Month, has come to a close.

There’s a new initiative kicking off to help girls stay in the game of soccer longer. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Ancient City Soccer Club is celebrating and promoting diversity on the field with a new development center created specifically for girls. Females are very specific; they enjoy information so we’re going to be sharing that with them,” said Brian Fallon, Girls Development Center Director. This is the goal behind Ancient City Soccer Club’s new girls development center. Click here to find out how to get involved in this new development center.

Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook got a shout out from the National Sheriff’s Association in honor of Women’s History Month. She is the only current female sheriff in all of Florida. Before being elected Sheriff, Cook served as Chief of the Atlantic Beach Police Department and was a director for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Cook said, “Women bring perspectives and life experiences that are needed in this profession.”She encourages young women who want to better the community to consider a career in law enforcement.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Icemen will host a women’s networking event centered around a hockey game. On Thursday, the Icemen will host a “Women in Business Night” for the first time in team history. Icemen Director of Marketing Lauren Muni says the event will feature a panel of seven women from the Jacksonville area. Those in attendance will get a chance to network with the panelist and catch a hockey game after. The USA women’s hockey team won gold during the 2018 Winter Olympics behind the stick of Kendall Coyne Schofield.